David Moyes says he knew he was facing a battle when he took the Sunderland job

Sunderland manager David Moyes said he knew that he was facing a real battle when he took over as manager of the club, the Chronicle reports.

Moyes hasn't had the best of starts to his reign at the Stadium of Light with the Black Cats currently bottom of the Premier League with two points from their opening eight games.

It looks as if it could take another rescue act late on in the season to survive in the top flight if they don't turn around their fortunes in the near future.

Sunderland manager David Moyes looks dejected

But Moyes thinks things will turn around, and is quoted in the Chronicle, saying: “When I joined the club there was no-one going to tell me that I expected us to be away from where we were straight away.

“I said that in a different way, but it’s a club which we know is going to be a long haul.

“Because of the level of support this club has the chance of a great future.

“But I knew when I came here it was going to be a big battle, a real hard task.”

Sunderland manager David Moyes

They are not exactly comments that fill people with optimism, even if it's probably true - though Moyes has wisely hat-tipped the supporters. After several different managers over the years performing escape acts for the club there needs to be an element of stability both in terms of finishing in the top flight, and overseeing first team affairs.

Moyes is now coming under some pressure because of the poor start he has presided and he could do with some positive results pretty quickly to ensure that he is providing some stability in the future.

In his defence there have been multiple injury problems to deal with this season but there have been some poor displays this season which have seen the Black Cats become the masters of their own downfall. Some improvements needs to be on display in the coming weeks to both relieve the pressure on Moyes and the players to make sure they are at least in striking distance of climbing out of the bottom three.

Sunderland manager David Moyes

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.